Hot weather behind rise in UK retail sales in May

Sales rose 1.2% spurred by demand for items such as fans and paddling pools, says Office for National Statistics

Retail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also soared.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January.

The increase, more than double the 0.5% rate of growth forecast by analysts, marks a recovery from a revised 1% month-on-month fall in sales in April.

The ONS had originally said that sales fell 1.3% in April, the biggest fall since May last year. The ONS also revised the rise in sales in March, up from 0.6% to 0.7%.

“Feedback from retailers suggested the hot weather in May helped sales of items such as fans and paddling pools,” said Jon Gough, a senior statistician at the ONS.

“Computer and telecoms stores continued to do well following product launches in March, while online retailers also performed strongly, with feedback suggesting that this was helped by promotions.”

Non-store retailing, primarily online retailers, enjoyed a bumper month, with sales soaring 6.1% compared with April, the biggest monthly rise since February 2025.

Department stores also enjoyed a strong month, with sales up 2.5% compared with April, and a quarterly sales increase of 2.7%, the biggest since September 2024. Household goods stores reported sales up 3.2% month on month.

Retailers said a combination of the UK recording its hottest ever May day and promotions helped drive sales of products including outdoor furniture.

Shopify said according to its merchant data, sales of desk and pedestal fans soared by 750% in May compared with April.

Other products to see a rise in sales included pool loungers, up 500%, outdoor umbrellas, up 70%, as well as paddleboards, surf boards and kayaks.

Computers and telecoms retailers continued to see a sales boost from new launches of tech such as smartphones and iPads.

Supermarkets were the only sector to see a significant decline in sales, as volumes fell 0.4% month-on-month in May.

Overall, sales volumes rose 3.2% in the year to the end of May, compared with the same period in 2025.

Hai-Ly Nguyen, associate partner at McKinsey & Company, said that, when looked at over a three-month period, the data suggested a “heat-driven spike rather than a turning point”.

The end of May also saw the start of a World Cup boost ahead of the tournament beginning, with Shopify recording an almost doubling in month-on-month sales of football shirts, and a strong increase in purchases of boots, televisions and disposable cups.

Rajeev Shaunak, head of consumer at accountancy firm MHA, said: “Retail sales bounced back unexpectedly well in May as the Spring heatwave, early bank holiday and a pre-World Cup buzz gave the high street a badly needed boost after April’s disappointing slump.

“But no one should mistake a sunnier month for a real high-street revival. Consumer confidence remains stuck deep in negative territory. Families are still worried about their finances and the wider economy, and many are putting off big purchases, cutting back on treats and trying to save what they can.”